"It's fantastic to see members of the local community of all ages come together to improve their local environment. This woodland will help to make the canal an even more special place to visit and improve habitats for a wide range of birds and bugs that live close to the canal."

– Tom Freeland, volunteer coordinator with the Canal & River Trust

Woodland walk Credit: PA

The flagship Diamond Woodland is planned for the heart of the National Forest in Leicestershire. There are plans to plant 300,000 trees over the next three years. By 2024, they will have matured and created an area of outstanding natural beauty.

The planned site is 460 acres and planting will begin in mid-November.